USA Today Crossword: Unraveling the “Silly Straws” Puzzle

The USA Today’s daily crossword puzzle,titled “Silly Straws,” presented a playfully deceptive anagram theme,challenging solvers to identify hidden words within common phrases. Constructed by CJ Tan and edited by Anna Gundlach,the puzzle,released on June 10,2025,cleverly concealed the word “STRAW” within three theme answers,providing an engaging experience for crossword enthusiasts.

Decoding the Theme: Anagrams in Plain Sight

The central theme revolved around anagrams of the word “STRAW” subtly embedded within the puzzle’s longer answers. This required solvers to look beyond the surface meaning of the clues and recognize the rearranged letters. The theme answers were:

• THAT’S A WRAP
• NEWS TRAVELS FAST
• WHAT’S WRONG

Each of these phrases contains an anagram of “STRAW,” adding an extra layer of complexity and satisfaction to the solving process. The title itself, “Silly Straws,” served as a hint, suggesting that the letters of “STRAW” were arranged in a “silly” or unconventional manner.

Notable Clues and Answers

Beyond the central theme,the crossword featured a variety of interesting clues and answers,spanning pop culture,geography,and general knowledge. Some highlights include:

• ARLO (16A): “Eugene” singer Parks. A reference to the English artist Arlo Parks and her 2020 song “Eugene.”
• ONE PIECE (21A): Manga series in which Monkey D.Luffy searches for a mythical treasure. This refers to the popular manga series by Eiichiro Oda, which has also been adapted into a Netflix TV series.
• OTOE (30A): Chiwere speakers.The Otoe are an indigenous people of the Midwestern United States, whose language, Chiwere, is part of the Siouan family.
• LEMUR (31A): Madagascar primate.Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar, with 103 known species and subspecies.
• LIU (34A): “Shang-chi” actor Simu. Simu Liu plays the title character in the Marvel Studios movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
• HOMES (42A): Great Lakes mnemonic. A mnemonic device for remembering the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
• ROSE (43A): Floral baklava flavor. Rosewater syrup is sometiems poured over baklava after it is indeed baked.
• SAMOSAS (45A): Triangular South asian pastries. Fried or baked triangular pastries filled with potatoes,onions,peas,meat,and spices.
• MAUI (48A): Wailea Beach’s island. wailea Beach is located on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
• SISSY (65A): Actress Spacek. Sissy Spacek is known for her roles in movies like Coal miner’s Daughter and Crimes of the Heart.
• NAAN (8D): Bread served with tandoori chicken. Naan is a flatbread often prepared in a tandoor oven.
• ARIES (11D): March-April fire sign. Aries is the zodiac sign for those born between March 21 and April 19.
• PLACE (12D): “The Good ___” (NBC sitcom). The Good Place is a TV series about a heaven-like utopia.
• SELL (18D): Put on Mercari. Mercari is a marketplace app for buying and selling items.
• ISLAM (24D): Religion that celebrated Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan in Islam.
• MESSI (33D): Soccer star Lionel. Lionel Messi plays for the Argentina national team and Inter Miami.
• ISSA (35D): “Insecure” creator Rae. Issa Rae created and starred in the TV series Insecure.
• ANNIE (49D): “Tomorrow” musical. The musical annie features the song “Tomorrow.”
• THAI (53D): Khao phat cuisine. Khao phat is also known as Thai fried rice.

Did you Know? The USA Today crossword puzzle is available online and in print, offering a daily mental workout for puzzle enthusiasts.

Crossword Difficulty Analysis

The “Silly Straws” crossword presented a moderate level of difficulty, primarily due to the anagram theme. While individual clues were generally straightforward, recognizing the hidden “STRAW” anagrams required careful observation and a playful approach to wordplay. The puzzle’s conversational clues added to its accessibility and enjoyment.

Here’s a breakdown of the puzzle’s key attributes:

Pro Tip: When tackling anagram-themed crosswords, try writing out the letters of the target word and rearranging them to see if they fit within potential answers.

The “Silly Straws” crossword provided a satisfying and engaging experience for solvers, showcasing CJ Tan’s skill in crafting clever and entertaining puzzles.

What was your favorite clue in the “Silly Straws” crossword? Did you find the anagram theme challenging or enjoyable?

Ready for another puzzle? Share this article with your fellow crossword enthusiasts and let us know what you thought of today’s challenge in the comments below!